SB Nation User Blog: HighSchoolSteeler

Steelers Sign Kraig Urbik

HighSchoolSteeler — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:45:41 -0000

Steelers Sign Kraig Urbik

Urbik signed a 3 year deal which the details have not yet emerged.

"I love him," said offensive coordinator Bruce Arians of Urbik during the draft. "Big, tough, nasty type of guy who has position flexibility. This kid understands football."

Upper Deck Interviews Mike Wallace, NFL No. 84 Draft Pick (via UDVids)

HighSchoolSteeler — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:48:08 -0000

Upper Deck Interviews Mike Wallace, NFL No. 84 Draft Pick (via UDVids)

Steelers Sign Wallace, Harris, and Shipley to 3 year deals

HighSchoolSteeler — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:07:59 -0000

That's 6 out of the 9 signed.

Interesting that they signed a 6 and 7th rounder to 3 year deals. The specifics of the contract have yet to be released, but now all that remain our Ziggy, Urbik, and Johnson.

Players released:

"...defensive end Jeff Bradley, long-snapper Mark Estermyer, wide receivers Jayson Foster and Cedric Goodman, quarterback Kevin McCabe and fullback Ryan Powdrell."

No real surprises. With Powdrell out it's clearly Frank Summer's show.

Thoughts?

A Night to Remember

HighSchoolSteeler — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:19:27 -0000

Now that I'm done crying with laughter over Louis Castillo's play of the century, I can actually type something up. You know Bill Buckner has to be laughing his ass off right now.

So anyway, I'm not gonna lie to you. I know little to nothing about Hockey. The few things that stick out in my mind are Wayne Gretzky is Canada's Jesus, and that in the former USSR the year 1980 does not exist.

So anyway, I tuned into the Pens game tonight, remembering it was on, and being the Pittsburgh-lover that I am, I immediately immersed myself in the game remembering to set the TIVO to record in case history was about to be made. Within 3 minutes my heart rate was at a dangerously high level. After checking in with ESPN, I knew Crosby was out, and about 10 minutes after I started watching, the Red Wings cut the lead to one, only making things a little more dramatic. So as the minutes dragged by, Detroit again and again advanced on the net, making the room a little fuzzy each time an announcer thought a goal had been scored. Being the hockey noob, the one thing I really picked up on was that the Pens were protecting their lead with all they had, rarely taking the offensive; good Defense-it's just a Pittsburgh thing. As the final minutes ticked away, I kept thinking "City of Champions, City of Champions, City of Champions" and finally as the closing seconds off the scoreboard vanished, that dream became a reality. For the first time since 1979, Pittsburgh is once again THE City of Champions.

via i.cdn.turner.com

via sportsillustrated.cnn.com

via sports.popcrunch.com

via a.espncdn.com

Congrats to the Steelers, the Penguins, and to the great City of Pittsburgh, may this just be the beginning of a trophy filled future!

Very Niiiiiiiice: Superbowl Ring pic Udpated w/more pics and info

HighSchoolSteeler — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:26:32 -0000

via new.steelers.com

via io2.steelers.com

Beautiful in my opionion. Looks like the Steelers and the NFL have outdone themselves this time. Probably my new favorite. 6 Diamonds for 6 wins, the steeler emblem w/approriate gold and black, and the respective colors for the logo stars....Real flashy but in a good way... Thoughts?

"Six round, brilliant cut diamonds surround the Steelers logo to draw the eye to the ring crest, with each gem signifying a Super Bowl victory. The Steelers logo is formed with yellow, red and blue stones in the shape of hypocycloids sitting atop a football-shaped design created with 32 round diamonds. Seven diamonds at each tip of the football recognize the team’s seven AFC Championships and when combined, the 14 diamonds signify the number of Division titles in Steelers history."

"The Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl XLIII ring weighs 104 grams (approximately 3.7 ounces) and incorporates 63 round, brilliant cut diamonds totaling 3.61 carats."

Steelers to get their Bling June 9th

HighSchoolSteeler — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:06:49 -0000

This could've been a fanshot but then maybe 10 people would've seen it.

From James Walker at ESPN.com

The reigning champion Pittsburgh Steelers will get their championship rings on Tuesday, June 9. The team is expected to hold a private ceremony amongst players, coaches, team employees and their families on that date.

via i82.photobucket.com

To date I love the 3rd and 5th ones, and it's said that the 6th is gonna be real big.

So there ya have it; the only time when it's ok to talk about jewelry in football...aside from knocking out OchoCinco's gold grill.

Thoughts?

Looks like Wallace will be number 17. via upperdeckblog.com

HighSchoolSteeler — Sat, 30 May 2009 17:12:29 -0000

Looks like Wallace will be number 17.

via upperdeckblog.com

Steeler Draft Grades and Analysis (Late)

HighSchoolSteeler — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:52:26 -0000

Editor's Note: Many thanks to HSS for his writeup and analysis about the 2009 NFL Draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Well done as usual from the young'n. If there was one player that I would disagree with his assessment about it would be Ra'Shon Harris. The DL out of Oregon most certainly has a steep hill to climb to make it in the National Football League, but I actually view him as a player with tremendous sleeper potential due to being a late bloomer physically. Take a look at photos of him during college and then during mini-camps. He looks much more toned and fit already. Anyway, I don't think it was a bad pick in the 6th Round by the Steelers front office. I also think that the Burnett pick was a fantastic one. Kid can flat out play football - great natural instincts for the game. Definitely the type of player that will find a way to make plays, in whatever capacity possible. Regardless well done and much appreciated. -Blitz-

*****************

Another year come and gone, and another new crop of rookies for us to mold into the stars of tomorrow. Sorry to get a little cheesy there but as most of you know I'm pretty damn passionate when it comes to the draft. Here are my thoughts on the newest Pittsburgh Steelers. I apologize for this being late, but if the NFL can do it, so can I.

Before I do anything else, let me take a moment to pause and grieve for a fine young man, now lost to the bowels of Cleveland; the person I speak of is of course is Alex Mack. I'll always remember what could have been, but at the same time I have to laugh at a moronic pick by Cleveland. Sure, Mack is a great prospect, but the Brownies passed up on many more players who could have filled much bigger needs. Regardless, Alex Mack is a Brown now, and the time for feeling sorry for him will soon come to an end when we face the Browns in the upcoming season.

Anyway onto our picks.

Round 1-Ziggy Hood, DL, Missouri

The Good: Ziggy is an athletic defensive lineman with a great motor and an even better attitude. At, 6'3" 300+ lbs, Hood has top end strength, and is a guy who can definitely push people around, and has the speed and moves to be devastating. He excels at rushing the passer, which, in a 3-4 scheme, will be harder to do for a defensive lineman, but will add hell to our already devastating outside rush. His character itself speaks volumes about him as a person and a player. Hood is the type of competitor who just doesn't quit, and gives his all on every play. At Mizzou, he was looked to as a leader on and off the field, and was a top force for opponents in the Big 12.

The Bad: Ziggy is not accustomed to being 3-4 DE, but instead a 4-3 DT. He played with a much-less complex Mizzou-playbook, in contrast to the highly intricate workings of Dick LeBeau, and the 3-4 scheme. In addition to making the move to end, he'll also have to improve his run defense which has been inconsistent at times. The Steelers themselves, as they do so often, will wait on Ziggy, who will have an immense challenge at adapting to a 5-technique, 3-4 DE.

Bottom Line: What the future holds for Hood is unclear, as it is for any player, but it will ultimately come down to his ability to adapt to the Steelers system. I could see Hood having trouble in succeeding in our defense, but based on his work ethic, character, and overall talent, I could see Hood turning into a tough defensive end, and an important piece in our dominant defense.

Grade: B+

Round 3, Pick A-Kraig Urbik, OL, Wisconsin

The Good: Big, Physical Mauler who will most likely challenge Stapleton for the RG position. Urbik has power, and ideal size for his position-6'6", 320+ lbs. He's also known for a nasty blue-collar attitude that will fit in just right with our organization. In addition to character he's versatile to play tackle or guard on either side.

The Bad: Poor footwork. On a video shown by the NFL after Urbik was drafted, the NFL Network Team explained how he wasn't all that great one on one in space in pass protection. These flaws can lead to multiple holding calls if he's not corrected.

Bottom Line: Again and again it has been said that Urbik may not be a star, but his versatility combined with a good attitude and work ethic could mean a very long career in the NFL. Look for him to possibly press either Stapleton or Willie Colon in training camp and the rest of the preseason.

Grade: B

Round 3, Pick B-Mike Wallace, WR, Ole Miss

The Good: Wallace is blazing fast. Though his combine 40 time and his pro day say 4.33, Mike Mayock said that he clocked him at 4.28. It's a wonder Al Davis didn't get him right? In addition to his pure speed, Wallace has a great vertical as well posting 40" at the combine. This makes his 6' size a lot more dangerous down field. His addition to the team should make up for the loss of Nate Washington and maybe even then some. On top of all that, Wallace is also an accomplished kickreturner, and had 2 return TDs at Ole Miss.

The Bad: Despite his supreme athleticism, Wallace does have some flaws, as with any prospect. Though his hands are reportedly better than average, he'll repeatedly let the ball into his pads resulting in some nasty drops. We'll have to see how frequent this happens and if that is something that he can eliminate with experience. In addition to that, Wallace is hard to place as route runner.For the routes that he's accustomed too he'll be fine, but when asked to do new routes from a new playbook, Wallace may struggle. Although he shows and has stated a willingness to block, his slim frame may hinder him in that aspect of the game.

Came from a rough background in New Orleans where out of his 5 siblings, 1 brother is in jail, another brother was shot and killed several years back, and one of his sisters was recently shot but ended up being alright (don't have an exact link for this, but I've gathered it from several sources including an interview with Wallace I believe). Though it doesn't appear to be an issue, you have to be a little wary of any character problems that may arise, something I'm not too worried about.

Bottom Line: Quite possibly my favorite pick in this draft, Wallace could become a deadly receiver. In addition to adding a much more dynamic threat to the return game from day 1, he will also push Sweed and McDonald for playing time. Though I'll be pulling for Sweed, that's gonna be one hell of a position battle. Ultimately I see Mike Wallace not only replacing Nate Washington, but surpassing him as well.

Grade: A-

Round 3, Pick C-Keenan Lewis, CB, Oregon State

The Good: Lewis has drawn a lot of comparison to current Steeler corner Ike Taylor in his style of play. Considering that Ike has recently been a stud in our pass defense, that is definitely a good thing. Lewis is big for a corner standing at 6'1" 208 lbs and yet can still run in the high 4.4's and low 4.5's. Though he's not a ball hawk, he gets into breaking up passes and does a good job in man coverage and can match up with the big receivers.

The Bad: Despite Lewis' size, he's not a consistent tackler. A lot of members of BTSC pointed this out after he was drafted, and to me this is something that could make or break Lewis. Though our Corners are not called upon to be involved the run support, it is definitely something that will get you noticed on the team. Like Ike, his hands are not the softest as he had only 7 career interceptions at Oregon State.

The Bottom Line: There might not be a better team right now than the Steelers at drafting corners on day 2 and turning them into starters. Just look at our current two. While the jury is still out on William Gay, we know how solid a player Ike Taylor has become after the years of grooming he went under in our depth chart. In many ways, I think Lewis could be the same; rough around the edges, but with some coaching, he could develop into a real solid player. At the very least, he provides much needed depth at corner which is something we lost with the departure of Bryant McFadden.

Grade: B

Round 5, Pick A-Joe Burnett, CB, UCF

The Good: A ballhawk. At UCF, Burnett picked off 16 passes during his career, setting a school record. As a returner he was just as effective returning 2 kicks for TD's and 3 punts (could've been 4). According to DraftguysTV, he's also a willing defender in stopping the run, which is definitley supported by his 221 career tackles.

The Bad: Though he is a great return prospect, Burnett does not have blazing speed. His 40 time sits in the 4.5's, more often than not in the high 4.5's. It has also been stated that Burnett is much better suited for a Tampa 2 scheme, as zone-coverage is his forte. Despite his play-making ability, Burnett is only 5'9", something that may or may not hinderhim against taller receivers.

Bottom Line: I like what Joe Burnett potentially brings to the table. He has a real nice array of skills, backed by great college production. If he makes the team (which he should) he'll contribute immediately to the return game, but probably won't see too much action at corner as he'll most likely be 5th or 6th on the depth chart. That 5th or 6th could change to a much higher level if Burnett can translate to the NFL.

Grade: B-

Round 5, Pick B-Frank "The Tank" Summers RB, UNLV

The Good: Ahhh yes we come to Frank the Tank. What's not to like about this pick; Summers is a classic, bruising, smash-mouth style running back that the Steelers love to have in their backfield, and is something that has been greatly missed since the departure of Jerome Bettis. Summers is a bruiser, and at 5'9", 241 lbs, is as compact as they get.

In addition to great size, Summers can move. At his UNLV Pro-Day, he turned a 4.55, which is average to below-average for most Running Backs, but for a big man like Summers it's a scout's dream come true. Another great thing; in his two years at UNLV, Summers never fumbled the football once (knock on wood) and showed soft hands at his pro day. He can play both Fullback and Running back. As a former linebacker in high school, Summers is more than willing to play special teams coverage as he "loves to hit people." Has Dreads.

The Bad: Though Summers has surprising 40 speed, he does not possess great agility. He will struggle to bounce a run to the outside. Though he's listed as a fullback, he has not shown a great willingness to play fullback and doesn't really have consistent enough blocking skills to do so. Will be 24 at the start of the season.

The Bottom Line: I was being confirmed during the later part of the draft so I had no idea what was going on. What I do remember was saying a little prayer to the big man upstairs that the Steelers draft Frank the Tank. When I got home a couple hours later I eagerly opened my laptop and checked the draft tracker. Steelers draft pick Round 5, Pick 33 (169)-Frank Summers "F Yeah Thank you Lord!" IMO, Summers will have us wondering who Gary Russell was as his first role will be to take the carries on 3rd and 4th and short and goal line situations.

I think he'll definitely line up as a Running Back due to inconsistencies in his blocking skills. In any case, I'm thrilled to see a "Big Back" back in Pittsburgh, and now there's another vehicle in the Steeler backfield.

Grade: A-

Round 6-Ra'shon "Sonny" Harris, DL, Oregon

The Good: Athletic for his size, at 6'4" 298, having decent speed, and good build. Harris gets a good jump off the snap and is good at collapsing the pocket, and can match up well with double teams. Sonny has good versatility and could play either DE or DT in our 3-4 scheme.

The Bad: According to NFL.com, Harris needs to have a better work ethic. He's inconsistent off the snap and doesn't play with good leverage, and can be maintained in blocking, and is not very shifty in changing direction. He only started one year at Oregon.

Bottom Line: I could see Harris as being a Brett Kiesel type of player, being a late draft pick that could fit our 3-4 well, but he will need to be brought up through the practice squad system, and in my mind I'm not really liking his chances. If what is said about his work ethic is true, then I'm not seeing him on the 53 man roster come September, but if he surprises me he could be a good fit in the 3-4 defense and make a solid contribution to the defense.

Grade: C

Round 7, Pick A-A.Q. Shipley, C, Penn State

The Good: A huge steal in the 7th round, many people were shocked to see Shipley fall this far. A character kid who grew up in the Pittsburgh area, Shipley is thrilled to be a part of his favorite team, and looks to model himself after former Steeler and HOF Center, Mike Webster. Both Shipley and Webster are built very similarly and took the same criticisms coming up in the NFL-too short, arms to small, but at 6'1", 304 lbs, Shipley can play some ball. This past season at Penn State, Shipley was team captain, a first team All American, and won the Rimington Trophy, an award given to the best center in college football, something neither Alex Mack or Eric Wood won. As for technique Shipley plays with a real strong base and can handle the pass rush well. He is a physical (33 bench reps at the combine) and intense player that plays through the whistle and is not intimidated by anyone.

The Bad: Again and again it is pointed out how short Shipley's arms are, something that Shipley's idol Webster has proven, doesn't mean everything. However Shipley's lack of height may also pose an issue against bigger defensive tackles, such as the Ravens' Haloti Ngata. As for blocking schemes, some say that Shipley is only a real fit for the zone-blocking scheme.

Bottom Line: I really like this pick. Many people saw Shipley as a third round pick, but instead he fell due to his size. Shipley does not seem phased by this criticism and can use it to his own motivation. Personally I think he may make the team but won't beat out Hartwig this year. I think he'll learn from him though and only get better from the experience. I wouldn't be surprised at all however, if Shipley turned into the tough, blue collar center of our future within a few years.

Grade: B

Round 7, Pick B-David Johnson, TE, Arkansas State

The Good: Better than good blocking skills. Johnson is very good at inline blocking, especially in open space. He can take on those much heavier than him and still succeed as well. Johnson has good hands and can get deep from time to time. He can also play fullback in most formations.

The Bad: Not known for his hands and isn't really a receiving threat. At only 6'2", Johnson can be overwhelmed by the larger defensive players.

Bottom Line: Not really being a big time standout in any aspect of his game, I'd be surprised if Johnson makes the team. Depending on where Sean McHugh lines up-either at TE or Fullback, there really won't be room for Johnson. I can see him as a practice squad kid who can be used as insurance if one of the TE/FB go down.

Grade: C-

Predictions

Number of Rookies Who Make the Team: 7/9

Number of Rookies that Start: 1-Kraig Urbik

Steeler Rookie of the Year: Mike Wallace

Surprise Rookie: Joe Burnett

Final Grade: B

Credits

Ziggy Hood via cache.daylife.com, www.post-gazette.com lp.imageg.net

Kraig Urbik via lp.imageg.net, static.steelers.com

Mike Wallace via static.steelers.com, lp.imageg.net

Keenan Lewis via lp.imageg.net, static.steelers.com

Joe Burnett via lp.imageg.net, static.steelers.com

Frank Summers via lp.imageg.net, static.steelers.com

Rashon Harris via lp.imageg.net, static.steelers.com

AQ Shipley via lp.imageg.net, static.steelers.com

David Johnson via lp.imageg.net, static.steelers.com

Thank you to NFL.com, Youtube, ESPN, for stats, scouting notes, and player info.

Definition of Bungles football.

HighSchoolSteeler — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:35:18 -0000

Definition of Bungles football.

Numbers?

HighSchoolSteeler — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:22:01 -0000

I'll soon be releasing my own version of draft grades complete with analysis, highlights, and even custom jerseys, but I wanted to ask you what you think our rookies will choose.

To make it easy for you can just copy and paste this and fill in the blanks. Obviously don't copy the numbers in bold unless you agree with them.

Ziggy Hood, DE, Missouri, formerly #94: New Number= 96 (I think Roye will retire)

Kraig Urbik, OL, Wisconsin, formerly #63: New Number= Same, 63

Mike Wallace, WR, Ole Miss, formerly #2: New Number= 19

Keenan Lewis, CB, Oregon State, formerly #6: New Number= 46

Joe Burnett, CB, UCF, formerly #19: New Number= 48

Frank Summers, RB/FB, UNLV, formerly #4: New Number= 35

Ra'shon Harris, DE, Oregon, formerly #91: New Number= 71

A.Q. Shipley, C, Penn State, formerly #57: New Number= 77

David Johnson, TE, Arkansas State, formerly #85: New Number= Same, 85